Iron County's sole appliance dealer winds down after 50 years

Iron County will lose its only appliance dealer as Oberlin’s Inc. shifts to appointment-only hours on June 6, narrowing local options for appliance repairs, warranty work and major household purchases in Iron River.

Owners and siblings John Oberlin and Jean Bjorkman said the decision was not made lightly. Retirement and other circumstances pushed the family toward winding down the business after more than 50 years, and they said they spent years working with realtors and looking for a buyer without finding anyone able to take it over.

That leaves a significant gap in a county where in-person service still matters. Iron County had 11,631 residents in the 2020 Census, and Census Bureau estimates put 32.7% of the population at age 65 or older. Census Reporter lists the county’s median age at 53.1, while Census Bureau QuickFacts shows an 84.5% owner-occupied housing rate. In a place like that, a local shop that can sell, service and advise on appliances has been more than a retail counter.

Oberlin’s has been part of Iron River since 1974, when John (Jack) W. Oberlin returned to the Upper Peninsula and started Oberlin’s Kitchen and Bath. His obituary said he began his career as a floor installer in Toledo before building the business back home. He died May 7, 2024 at age 88, a year before the latest step in the family’s succession planning.

The business has grown beyond appliances over the decades. Its website lists plumbing, flooring, tile, wall coverings, cabinets and countertops, along with appliances and repair parts. It also says qualified staff service all makes of appliances and sell washers, dryers, refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers and ranges from brands including Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, Whirlpool and Samsung.

For customers, the shift to appointment-only hours signals a winding-down period rather than an immediate shutdown, but it also means Iron County residents will increasingly have to look outside the county for major appliance purchases and service. The store is located at 32 N. 4th Ave. in Iron River, where its regular hours had been Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon before the June 6 change.